"Let's work together for peace," Vatican's Vesak message to Buddhists

In a special message for Vesak, the Vatican has called on Catholics and Buddhists to emulate the founders of their respective faiths by working together to promote nonviolence and peace.

The message was issued April 22 by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue is themed ‘Christians and Buddhists: Walking Together on the Path of Nonviolence’.

The Message signed by Council President, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Council Secretary, Fr Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ emphasizes the urgent need to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence as both these values were promoted by Jesus Christ and the Buddha.

“Jesus Christ and the Buddha were promoters of nonviolence as well as peacemakers,” the letter addressed tp "Budhist friends" said.

“Though we recognize the uniqueness of our two religions, to which we remain committed, we agree that violence comes forth from the human heart, and that personal evils lead to structural evils,” the letter continues. “We are therefore called to a common enterprise.”

It is signed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Bishop Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, the two leaders of the pontifical council.

Quoting from Pope Francis’ message for the 2017 World Day of Peace, the council states in the letter that Jesus “marked out the path of nonviolence.”

“He walked that path to the very end, to the cross, whereby he became our peace and put an end to hostility,” the letter continues.

The letter then quotes from the Buddhist Dhammapada, saying Buddha “also heralded a message of nonviolence and peace.”